Glock 19...Compensated or Not ???

I have been throwing around the idea of getting a Glock 19, I own a Sig226, but I would like to get another pistol. As I was looking at Glocks outdated and somewhat useless website, I realized that I could get a 19 Compensated or just not.

Please provide me with the Pros and Cons of getting a Compensated pistol. Thanks

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MK11

September 21, 2006, 05:47 PM

Con: Theoretically more blast/flash

Con: Potentially dangerous if you end up having to fire one close to your own face/body in a defensive situation

Pros: ?

Powder_Burn

September 21, 2006, 06:05 PM

I've compared the G23 & G23C (.40) back to back and can tell you the compensator actually works very well and is not a gimmick. I was surprised that the G23C was truly more comfortable and controllable.

I've also shot the G32C (.357 Sig) in total darkness and can tell you that if you can stand the brightness level of a campfire w/o going blind, you won't have a problem with muzzle flash (at least using CCI Lawman). Lesson learned was that you can't believe everything you hear and need to always try it for yourself. Good luck!

Waywatcher

September 21, 2006, 06:09 PM

Con: A normal G19 would allow you to participate in IDPA and Production Class USPSA, whereas with a G19C you would be out of IDPA and completely outclassed in Open for USPSA.

I don't see a lot of upsides to compensated pistols except for competition and, maybe, if you're talking about monster caliber revolvers. I can't see much logic for getting a G-19C specifically.

Coolness factor, I suppose, if you like that sort of thing.

Flopsy

September 21, 2006, 10:56 PM

Con: they're more expensive

Con: they're unnecessary

Pro: It's still a GLOCK.

10-Ring

September 21, 2006, 11:09 PM

NOT! :scrutiny:

9mm won't really generate enough pressure to utilize compensation
G19 is relatively short barrelled and the porting just shortens it that much more.
G19 isn't tough to control as it is
Porting will just get end of pistol dirtier than normal
Porting will spit debris in your face

arizona

September 22, 2006, 12:28 AM

C” Your Way To Better Shooting
Many inexperienced persons have concerns about the “C” models which cause irrational fears about their use for everyday CCW / LEO.

I'm also often concerned about the responses to these questions. Much of this misinformation seems to be based on heresay and not real-world experience.

Yet, for me and everyone who has long-term experience with “C” models, they offer significant advantages over their non-ported brethren.

My seven years use of a G17C has convinced me (and my many skecptical friends) that "C" models are ideally suited for CCW.

So thought I'd share. Hope you find it useful.

“C” Your Way To Better Shooting
First of all, some facts: Glock C models ex-factory have ported barrels, not compensated barrels. I believe the “C” thing is a misnomer and used because the “C” designation simply sounded better that “P”…telling someone about ”my new Glock 17P” just doesn’t have the same ring to it.

Compensators are a weighted device hung-on to the front of the barrel. It changes the center of gravity of the firearm in an attempt to help reduce the upward rotational effect of recoil when fired.

Ports are holes cut into the barrel, somewhere near the muzzle. These holes vary in number, size and location. Some ports are said to be internal, that is, within the barrel / slide assembly (which also means the slide must also have cut-outs for the vented gas to escape).

Other types of ports are said to be external. That is, the holes are at the muzzle of a barrel that extends beyond the barrel / slide assembl

OK so far? Cool.

Now, as you may have noticed in Pic. 2 above, Glock offers two variations of internal porting - one set of ports on center-line top of the barrel / slide, and twin ports either side of the center line.

Top center-line ports are only offered on the .40 S&W 24C and the 9mm 18C. These guns are considered, in turn, competition / Special Ops, Special Ops duty. They are not considered to be general CCW / LEO firearms and, in the case of the G18 / C, not even generally available to the private citizen. At this point I don’t feel further discussion about these guns are necessary, except where comparison of the porting position may warrant.

Twin-ported barrel / slide guns ARE generally available as “C” variations to a wide assortment of Glocks – and really now bring us to the main points for discussion.

Lets start with something everyone agrees: Glock C models offer reduced recoil. The degree of this reduction varies from caliber to caliber and person to person – but it is reduced. This reduced recoil allows faster follow-up shots. No argument from anyone there.

Now on to some of the concerns about Glock C models.

#1. In a defensive shooting situation, the upward flash from the twin ports will severely compromise your night vision. False.

This comes from a combination of people’s intuitive understanding of how a bright flash of light affects night vision, as well as this pic which is used for advertising the “C” models. OK, now stay with me – there are a couple of things here that need to be addressed.

When firing a non-ported gun at night, the shooter will see a fireball exit the muzzle of the gun. Now the intensity of this fireball is determined by the quality of the powder in the ammunition. This fireball is behind the front sight and, depending on the intensity of the light, will affect to some greater or lesser degree your ability to see the front sight after the initial shot / flash. This fireball is also in front of your target, and again, will affect your ability to see the target after the initial shot / flash.

With the “C” models, the flash looks like a 'V' - up and out to either side of your front sight, leaving it plainly visible after the shot. There may also be some amount of flash from the muzzle, but it is negligible.

Today’s high quality defensive ammo has very low flash. For defensive purposes, your gun should be loaded with this type of ammo. In a defensive shooting situation the Glock C models will enable you to better see your front sight / target for more accurate follow-up shots.

So, how come the photo? They enhanced it so you could see where the ports vent the gasses – in daylight you see nothing at all, even with the cheapest of ammo. At night, with good ammo, the flash of the light blue flame (like the flame from your gas stove) is barely visible.

#2. In a close-up / retention position defensive shooting situation, the upward flash from the twin ports will blow debris and / or burn your skin / face…etc. Within the realm of possibility, but can be mitigated.

Even when using a non-ported semi-auto pistol in a close-up / retention position, the gun should be canted so that the top of the slide is away from your body. This is to minimize the possibility of the slide getting caught on clothing and causing a malfunction. With a ported SA, this canting of the gun away from your body will also direct the vented gas away from your face or other body parts.

Further, Glock specifically advises that only jacketed bullets should be used. The presence of the copper jacket will reduce the possibility of any debris from the ports.

Finally, numerous tests by myself and many other “C” models owners show that Glock C models can be safely fired as close as 6 inches away from your skin without any harmful singes or burns. Sure you’ll feel a blast of air – but that is not confined to “C” models only. You’ll feel that with ANY pistol.

Using the proper grip technique for ANY semi-auto pistol mitigates against any possible harmful effect of using a Glock C model in a close-up / retention position.

#3. The ports cause a reduction in bullet velocity. Fact, but inconsequential.

The decrease in velocity has been repeatedly tested and found to be between 3-5% loss. When using high quality defensive JHP ammo, I consider this to be inconsequential. So 1,281 ft./sec drops to 1,217 ft./sec. (a 5% drop). No big deal, when you consider what you gain in controllability and night visibility.

#4. You shouldn’t shoot a “C” model in an enclosed area because the ports cause a louder noise than normal. Fact, but a non-issue.

The effect of the normal sound level of a gunshot is reduced by your body’s reflexive defensive mechanism that automatically shuts down your hearing in a high-adrenalin defensive shooting situation. This has been shown in countless anecdotal reports by persons in high-stress situations and many clinical studies. Besides, even if your hearing didn’t shut down, your hearing would be significantly affected anyway by the ‘normal’ dB level of a gunshot. The 10-15% increased dB level of the gunshot from a “C” model wouldn’t matter much more.

If you’re shooting in a enclosed area and not in a defensive situation you should be wearing ear protection!!!

#5. The front sight is easily fouled / blackened by unburned powder from the ports.
Yeah, right. After maybe 1,000 rounds of cheap ammo with low-grade, high-fouling powder. And even then, it’s easily cleaned off in one itsy, bitsy, little swipe of your thumb. A non-issue.

So there you have it. The concerns are either myths, non-issues or can be mitigated by proper selection of ammo and training (which is applicable for ANY semi-auto firearm used for defensive purposes).

Stay safe,
And, No. I'm not a Glock Rep. Just a guy who like to the record set straight.

the naked prophet

September 22, 2006, 12:11 PM

I have read that porting can shave off pieces of the bullet jacket, and send them flying. They get stuck in peoples faces, roofs over shooting bays, etc. That alone is reason enough not to use them.

Also consider what would happen to your face and chest if you needed to fire from a retention position, with the gun close up to your body.

Lonestar

September 22, 2006, 01:25 PM

9mm Compensated Glock? like others have said, Why. Its a lot of headache for a reduction in recoil. If we were talking a heavier caliber like a 10mm or maybe a .45 it might be worth it, but a 9mm glock 19 is very pleasant to shoot, probably a little less than your Sig.

longeyes

September 22, 2006, 01:30 PM

NO! You don't need it with a gun like the G19, and it will be a liability for self-defense purposes. Maybe with a big-bore trail gun, I don't know, but not with a 9mm.

JoeK

September 22, 2006, 02:10 PM

I wouldn't. What's the point in having it?

riverdog

September 22, 2006, 02:18 PM

G-19 is a pleasant pistol without porting. A G-22/23 would be different, with a G-20 porting would definitely be good. The only ported guns I have are my Rem 700 .308's which wear Vais muzzle breaks and my Browning O/U Skeet gun which is factory ported.

BozemanMT

September 22, 2006, 07:11 PM

9mm Compensated Glock? like others have said, Why. Its a lot of headache for a reduction in recoil. If we were talking a heavier caliber like a 10mm or maybe a .45 it might be worth it, but a 9mm glock 19 is very pleasant to shoot, probably a little less than your Sig.

Exactly
The G19 is a pretty sweet handling gun, you aren't shooting .500S&W or anything.
No real reason for it.

Broadhead

September 22, 2006, 07:26 PM

If my interest were competition, maybe I would have considered a compensated model. My motive is self-defense, so I want every possible bit of energy pushing the bullet. Just a feeling; I don't dispute anything arizona wrote.

varoadking

September 22, 2006, 10:45 PM

they offer significant advantages over their non-ported brethren.

cough/bull****/cough

J. Parker

September 22, 2006, 11:04 PM

Glock,Inc. advises against using any Glock "C" model for self-defense because it changes the slide velocity thusly and "possibly" compromising reliability. There is alot of "C" talk over at GlockTalk.

~John

GunNut

September 22, 2006, 11:10 PM

I say there is absolutely no reason for porting in a Glock 19. It's a 9mm, not a fire breathing .44mag or bigger.

Go with the non-compensated model.

Steve

CZguy

September 23, 2006, 12:18 AM

arizona,

Thank you for taking the time for an excellent post. It was well thought out and logical. You must really enjoy the show "myth busters"

To the rest of you, sorry to interrupt, go on with your urban myth's. :D

arizona

September 23, 2006, 12:34 AM

So there you have it. The concerns are either myths, non-issues or can be mitigated by proper selection of ammo and training (which is applicable for ANY semi-auto firearm used for defensive purposes).

Those with negative comments are obviously not familiar with Glock C models. Check them out for yourself and you will see the difference.

Otherwise, it is wrong for you to speculate on what you believe with no justification are facts.

pablo45

September 23, 2006, 12:39 AM

I would say not if that is going to ever be your home gun. Because when you fire the gun at night the flash will partially blind you and give you a bad disadvantge. If it is only going to be your mess around gun then sure. It will reduce recoil dramatically and be easy to manage.

Harold Mayo

September 23, 2006, 01:20 AM

I don't even own a "C" model Glock at the moment but have owned a 17C. I don't carry a Glock, I carry either a 1911 or a BHP along with a Kahr P9 (or sometimes just the P9). No dog in the fight but here's what I found out by actually buying and trying a 17C:

1. I wondered if porting a 9x19 would have any effect at all. As it turns out, there is a significant reduction in muzzle raise with the porting. I didn't believe it would happen that way but it did and does.

Even the 9mm Glocks benefit from porting

2. I thought that the muzzle flash would hurt my night vision so I took the 17C and shot it in the dark a bunch vs. my regular, unported 19. The result? I noticed no difference. Granted, it's a 17C vs. a 19 rather than a 17C vs. a 17 but it's close enough for me to say

Night vision isn't affected by a ported Glock any more or less than a non-ported one.

3. I thought that the porting would burn me from a retention position. While willing to experiment, I was not willing to get burned. I therefore donned an old denim jacket (much too small for me at the time...or now) and shot from a few positions to see what would happen. What happened? No clothing caught on fire but in some positions the porting definitely threw flame and debris and I wouldn't want to have had bare flesh exposed. Still yet, lots of LE agencies issue ported Glocks and teach canting out of the retention position to remedy this. It's not a solution on which I'd like to rely, however, but I wouldn't care to be burned a little vs. being dead. Still, if you're shooting from a retention position, you're not all that concerned about a slight bit of muzzle rise.

Ported Glocks can hurt you from a retention position.

I'd carry one without a backward glance as a SD gun. It's more likely that you're going to use a handgun close up than at a distance, though, and the benefit of the "C" models is faster follow-up shots at range. I say it's up to the individual but I certainly no longer believe most of the myths about ported Glocks.

the naked prophet

September 23, 2006, 11:31 AM

If they are all myths, then how come I've seen pictures of corkscrew pieces of copper embedded in the underside of ball caps, in peoples cheeks, and other places?

The Lone Haranguer

September 23, 2006, 01:33 PM

I don't see a lot of upsides to compensated pistols except for competition and, maybe, if you're talking about monster caliber revolvers.
9mm won't really generate enough pressure to utilize compensation
G19 is relatively short barrelled and the porting just shortens it that much more.
G19 isn't tough to control as it is (emphasis mine)
Porting will just get end of pistol dirtier than normal
Porting will spit debris in your face

Agreed.

Oboeman

September 23, 2006, 01:59 PM

I agree with 10-Ring and others. The Glock 19 is very easily handled without porting, and like owning a home with a swimming pool...might be a plus when trading or selling it later on...or it might be something to be avoided, as with most of the respondents on this page. Best thing to do is go to a reputable range that carries rentals which are ported and non-ported, and make an informed decision.

arizona

September 23, 2006, 02:15 PM

CZguy

I did not write the C overview. It was copy and paste from a permanent Sticky on Glock Talk.

However, I do have a G19c and I have stayed at a Motel 6 :cool: and have found the information provided is correct.

One thing that was left out is how useful the ported pistols are for lighting campfires. Just be certain you know where the gun is pointing or you may end up with little pieces of brass in your forearms and the cheeks of your face.:uhoh: Not even counting shooting someone.:what:

The internet and opinions are an interesting combination. :scrutiny:

SolaScriptura139

September 23, 2006, 02:24 PM

While I do not have a Glock ported, I do have an XD-9 that is ported. And I can say that I did enjoy the fact that it's ported. There is literally no muzzle flip, and it makes it, at least for me, much more comfortable to shoot. It makes it almost feel like I'm shooting a .22. In addition, if you have a limited budget, it makes it an easier beginner's gun (me and my wife) or a good gun for the more petite, like my wife.

Rokman

September 24, 2006, 10:05 PM

I wouldn't do it. Just don't feel that it is necessary in 9mm.

Lee Woiteshek

September 25, 2006, 11:31 AM

Looks like two schools of thought here. One that actually owns a C Model Glock and the one that doesn't. I've owned both. Kept the C Model. Recoil is subjective, and the compensated Glock will give you a slight edge. As for night firing if you can shoot a revolver and not go blind you can handle the C Model. Most factory loadings especially the self defense loads have flash resistant powders. If you have to fire from the retention postion, you have already made several serious errors. As for shavings imbedded in the cheek the only time I've experienced that has been from an out of time revolver. Never from an semi auto pistol. If I buy another Glock it will be the "C" Model. Hope this helps.

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